Harnessing Yogic Energy

Sachin Tendulkar was exasperated as his attempts to capture Sarandeep Singh dozing off during a Yoga session came a cropper as his mates woke up the latter.

Yoga provides an additional cutting edge to our sportsmen who are used to their traditional form of training and sweating it out in the gym. Yoga is the energy booster which makes their bodies supple and minds alert besides increasing the awareness levels.

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word Yuj( to join). Maharishi Patanjali has established the principles of Ashtanga Yoga ( 8 limbs). These include Yama, Niyama, Asana( posture), Pranayama(control of life force or prana), Pratyahara ( withdrawal of the senses), Dharana( concentration) Dhyana( meditation) and Samadhi( super conscious state).

Yama are some restraints which are further divided into Ahimsa-non violence, Satya- truthfulness, Brahmacharya-Control of senses and celibacy, Asetya-non stealing and Aparigraha- Non covetousness and non – acceptance of gifts .

Niyama is further classified into Saucha- Purity and cleanliness, Santosh- Contentment, Tapas- Austerity, Swadhyaya – Study of the scriptures and Iswara Pranidhana- Surrender to the will of God.

Only a disciplined seeker will follows the eight fold path . For the larger part , practising of yoga is to feel lighter, feel fit , lose weight or induct that extra doze of energy in the bodies.

Enticement , lucre and monetary conditions today determine the thought process of sports personalities. Well, cricketers were a deprived lot for such a long time, so feel no harm in making that extra buck for the rainy day. Therefore playing in IPL or other T-20 leagues commands extra premium than playing for the nation. The earlier breed of cricketers were honing their skills playing county cricket . Even that is outmoded or something of the passe. Playing in Ranji Trophy , Duleep Trophy , Deodhar Trophy was hardly a paying proposition in the days of the yore prior to BCCI became the richest cricketing body in the world.

Sachin , Dravid or Laxman would apart from regulating posture and breath control also focus on meditation and developing concentration. And a Ishant Sharma , ignoring all advice could not bowl post lunch as he had a ravenous appetite. As he was salivating, he could not control his senses , neither was he contented.

Nevertheless observing proper yogic postures and breath control will energise our cricketers , other sports men and women and public at large. The Government of India , under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Aayush and the blessings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Baba Ramdev , have taken upon themselves to promote yoga in the entire world. It is an admirable step.

The power generated by practice of yoga and breathing techniques like Nadi Shodhan Pranyama cleanses our Chkras( circles/ cycles/wheels). Mooladhara Chakra is located at the base of the spine, Svasishthana Chakra is at the sacral level, Manipura Chakra is at the solar plexus , Anahata Chakra is also known as the heart Chakra, Vishuddhi Chakra is located at the throat, Ajna Chakra is between our eye brows and Sahsrara Chakra is at the crown of the head. Cleaning of the Chakras helps in detoxification of bodies and the spirit.

Practising yoga in all its purity , with surrender to the almighty is to awaken the Kundalini. This is what a true seeker yearns .

But this practice which is 5000 years old has been preserved in this country and has been exported effectively. It is a different matter that India is popularising Yoga and Chinese may be producing more Yoga mats.

I happened to meet an advocate recently in Delhi. His face was shining and glowing, he looked younger and his teeth were flashing white. He proudly proclaimed that regular practice of yoga , followed by Kapalbhati and Nadi Shodhan Pranayama had changed his outlook towards life and he felt younger , fitter and smatter. Moreover he gave up smoking and was looking forward to learn the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique of the Art of Living.

It is advisable that all able bodied and those suffering from any ailment( under supervision of a qualified Yoga teacher and advice of a doctor) practice Yoga to increase their levels of prana, chi or energy. Each one of us can become an atomic reactor with abundance of energy flowing in our bodies and minds. JAI GURU DEV